# Japan

> Citation bundle for Japan on The Treatment Registry.
> URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/countries/japan
> Bundle URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/api/citations/countries/japan

- ISO code: JP
- Currency: Japanese Yen
- Language: Japanese
- Timezone: JST (UTC+9)

## Overview

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asian mainland, it is bordered to the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea in the south. The Japanese archipelago consists of four major islands alongside 14,121 smaller islands. Japan is divided into 47 administrative prefectures and eight traditional regions, and around 75% of its terrain is mountainous and heavily forested, concentrating its agriculture and highly urbanized population along its eastern coastal plains. With a population of almost 123 million as of 2026, it is the world's 11th most populous country. Tokyo is the country's capital and largest city.

*Reference text adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.*

## Healthcare system

The health care system in Japan provides different types of services, including screening examinations, prenatal care and infectious disease control, with the patient accepting responsibility for 30% of these costs while the government pays the remaining 70%. Payment for personal medical services is offered by a universal health care insurance system that provides relative equality of access, with fees set by a government committee. All residents of Japan are required by the law to have health insurance coverage. People without employer insurance; insurance provided by the employer, where premiums are split between the employer and employee, can participate in a national health insurance program, administered by local governments. Patients are free to select physicians or facilities of their choice and cannot be denied coverage.

*Reference text adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.*

## Practical info

US citizens can visit Japan without a visa for tourist or business stays of under 90 days; a passport valid for the entire stay and proof of a return or onward ticket are expected, and all visitors are fingerprinted and photographed on arrival. Visitors cannot work during a visa-free stay and cannot change to another visa category without leaving Japan, and immigration officers may refuse entry to travellers who cannot show how they will support themselves, or refuse exit to those with unpaid bills. United States prescriptions are not honoured in Japan, so travellers should bring enough medication for their stay; drugs such as marijuana and certain prescription medicines, including Adderall, are illegal even with a foreign prescription. Cash of 1,000,000 yen or more must be declared on entry and exit. The US State Department highly recommends travel insurance including medical and evacuation cover. Medical care is delivered in Japanese, with English also used in medical settings; dial 119 for an ambulance.

## Emergency numbers

- **Police:** 110
- **Medical / Ambulance:** 119
- **Fire:** 119
- **Japan Coast Guard (marine):** 118

## Medical malpractice framework

Reference page scaffold; editorial sourcing pending.

- Patient rights reference: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/health/index.html

## FAQs

### Do I need a visa to visit Japan?

US citizens do not need a visa for tourist or business stays of less than 90 days. The passport must be valid for the entire stay, with one blank page per entry stamp, and travellers should carry proof of a return or onward ticket. Visitors cannot work during a visa-free stay and cannot change to another visa category, such as work or study, without leaving and re-entering Japan.

### Who regulates healthcare in Japan?

Healthcare in Japan is overseen by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), which publishes health and medical policy information in English on its website. Under Japan's universal health insurance system, fees are set by a government committee, and all residents are required by law to hold health insurance coverage.

### Can I bring my medication to Japan?

Travellers should check before carrying medication. Drugs such as marijuana and certain prescription medicines, including Adderall, are illegal in Japan even with a valid prescription from another country. United States prescriptions are not honoured in Japan, so visitors are advised to bring enough medication to cover their entire stay.

### Will I be covered by Japan's health insurance system as a visitor?

Japan operates a universal health insurance system; all residents are required by law to hold health insurance, and fees are set by a government committee. The US State Department highly recommends that travellers buy insurance before visiting and check with their provider about medical cover, evacuation assistance and trip cancellation. Immigration officers may deny exit from Japan to travellers with unpaid bills.

### What are the emergency numbers in Japan?

Dial 119 for an ambulance or the fire service and 110 for the police. The Japan Coast Guard answers 118 for marine emergencies. Medical care is delivered in Japanese, and English is also used in medical settings. Traffic moves on the left side of the road, and Japan observes a single time zone (JST, UTC+9).

## Sources

- [CIA World Factbook — Japan](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/japan/) — US Central Intelligence Agency (accessed 2026-07-05)